Exemptions

Child Support Payment

January 29, 2012

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  Today TaxMama® hears from Danny in the Tax Quips Forum with this question. “My kids stay with their mother from Sunday noon until Thursday noon; then stay with me from Thursday noon until Sunday noon. I pay $140 monthly in child support. Can I claim them in my taxes?”

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In 2012, Many Tax Benefits Increase Due to Inflation Adjustments

October 21, 2011

WASHINGTON — For tax year 2012, personal exemptions and standard deductions will rise and tax brackets will widen due to inflation, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. By law, the dollar amounts for a variety of tax provisions, affecting virtually every taxpayer, must be revised each year to keep pace with inflation. New dollar amounts [...]

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New College Student

September 20, 2011

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Today TaxMama hears from Vera in the Tax Quips Forum with a question that affects many families. “I am a single parent claiming HOH. My son went off to college for September 1st, 2011. Until then he lived here with me, worked and also attended college here. We always filed separately with me being HOH. [...]

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Spouse as Dependent

March 16, 2010

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Today TaxMama hears from Jerry in Colorado, with a surprisingly common question. “What allows a spouse to claim the other as a dependent and how is the ‘dependent spouse’s Social Security income accounted for? What would be the filing status of the ‘supporting spouse’ [married, married filing separate, other]?”

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MFJ or MFS

March 11, 2010

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Today TaxMama hears from Madhu in Minnesota who needs help.  “I have a peculiar case and need your opinion here. I am living & working in MN and make a lot of money. My wife lives & studies in WI and she has an on-campus job, earning enough to cover her basic living expenses.  Our [...]

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Splitting the Dependency Exemption

March 3, 2010

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Today TaxMama hears from Suzan in California with is bewildered. “Someone sent me an email stating that they were told by H&R Block that divorced couples can split their children’s dependency exemption based on a new ruling for 2009. That the exemption can be split six months for Mom and six months for Dad. I’ve [...]

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